Soon, whisky-powered cars to hit the roads

London, Aug 18 (ANI): The alcohol industry could soon be contributing to save the environment - a new study has shown that whisky by-products can be converted to biofuel to power cars.

Edinburgh Napier University's Biofuel Research Centre has prepared the fuel.

Two by-products are used in the fuel production - 'pot ale', the liquid from the copper stills, and 'draff', the spent grains, as the basis to produce the butanol that can then be used as fuel.

The university now plans to create a "spin-out" company to take the new fuel to the marketplace.

"The most likely form of distribution of the biofuel would be a blend of perhaps 5 per cent or 10 per cent of the biofuel with petrol or diesel but 5 per cent or 10 per cent means less oil which would make a big, big difference," The Telegraph quoted Professor Martin Tangney as saying.

""This is a more environmentally sustainable option and potentially offers new revenue on the back of one Scotland's biggest industries," he added.

"I support the development and use of sustainable biofuels. This innovative use of waste products demonstrates a new sustainable option for the biofuel industry, while also supporting the economic and environmental objectives of the Scottish Government's new Zero Waste Plan," said Jim Mather, the Scottish Government's energy minister. (ANI)